First things first: when you go to see your doctor, always tell the truth. There’s no need to exaggerate — just clearly explain what’s happening.
Instead of vaguely saying, “My arm hurts,” say something like, “I was in an auto accident. I never had this issue before, and now my pain level is about a 5 out of 10. It’s a burning pain.” That’s a lot more helpful than just saying, “My arm hurts,” and expecting the doctor to figure it out. Be honest and descriptive.
It’s also important to describe the type of pain you’re experiencing. Is it a burning pain? Aching? Stabbing? Throbbing? Again, don’t exaggerate, but do give detail — it helps the doctor document your injury accurately.
Make sure to tell your doctor what triggers the pain, and whether or not you’ve had similar problems before the accident. If you’ve never had this issue before, say that. But if you have, that’s okay too — just don’t hide it. Hiding prior injuries can hurt your case later. A good defense attorney will try to use any missing information to suggest you were dishonest.
Most doctors won’t ask you about your full history unless you volunteer it. So even if they don’t ask, it’s better to disclose it upfront. That way, no one can accuse you of hiding anything later on.
A defense attorney will go through everything you told your doctor, line by line. It’s common for people to downplay their symptoms and just say, “My shoulder hurts a little.” But that kind of vague language can hurt your case. If what you really meant was, “I’m in constant, burning pain,” then say that. Help your doctor diagnose you properly and document your condition thoroughly. You’ll be better off in the long run.
The more details you give, the better.
For example, if you go to the doctor in November and say, “My shoulder hurts a little,” then go back in December and say the same thing, and again in January — a defense attorney in trial two years later will say, “So your shoulder only hurt a little the whole time, and now you’re saying it was serious?”
They will twist your words and imply you’re exaggerating now. The way to prevent that is by being detailed from the start.
So, during a deposition or trial, the defense attorney might ask:
- “You said your shoulder hurt, correct?”
- “You never had a prior injury, correct?”
- “Your pain level was a 5 out of 10 after the accident, correct?”
If you’ve documented everything clearly and truthfully from the beginning, none of that will come back to hurt you.
Doctors see a lot of patients — they won’t remember your case unless it’s well-documented in their notes. So when you visit the doctor, be specific:
- Describe your pain (burning, aching, stabbing, etc.)
- Rate your pain on a scale from 1 to 10
- Explain what motions or actions cause problems (pushing, pulling, lifting, etc.)
- Tell them exactly how you got hurt
The more thorough and honest you are with your doctor, the stronger your case will be — and more importantly, the better care you’ll receive.